House Bill 2694
would move oversight from sheriffs offices to the Arizona Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers, eliminate escort status as "authorized emergency" vehicles, and require commercial liability insurance in case of accidents.

Funeral escort business owner Brian Hawkins helped in drafting the bill and says the changes are needed for public safety.

"These are not regulations, this is protection. This should be the basic bottom-line protection for everyone," he says.

He is especially concerned with making sure escorts are properly insured.

"(Right now) you can literally make your personal vehicle an authorized emergency vehicle with no proof of commercial insurance," Hawkins says.

The bi-partisan bill is sponsored by Rep. Noel Campbell (R)-Prescott.

Co-sponsor Rep. Isela Blanc (D)-Tempe says the current law needs an overhaul.

"We are making sure everyone is in compliance, and we are doing it in a way that will ensure public safety," she says.

But opponents are concerned about the costs. In addition to commercial insurance, the bill would require that those performing escorts pay an annual licensing fee.

American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education, known as ABATE of Arizona, opposes the bill.

They are a group of motorcyclists who volunteer to escort for military funerals and deployments.

"How much is the fee going to be? It's opened ended," says ABATE spokesman Michael Infanzon.

He says the bill doesn't take into account the price groups like his will have to pay for several members who participate in escorts. He also says it doesn't specify how much insurance would be required and what the annual fees would be.